Influence of allochtonous nutrients delivered by colonial seabirds on soil collembolan communities on Spitsbergen

• DOI: 10.1007/s00300-012-1169-4
• Publication Date: 2012-03-08T11:57:46Z
• Authors: Katarzyna Zmudczy...; Izabela Olejniczak; Adrian Zwolicki; Lech Iliszko; Peter Convey; Lech Stempniewicz
• Keywords: Guano

Despite a widespread recognition of the role seabird colonies in fertilization nutrient-poor polar terrestrial ecosystems, qualitative and quantitative data documenting any consequential influence on soil invertebrate communities are still lacking. Therefore, we studied community structure abundance springtails (Collembola) ornithogenic tundra near two large Hornsund, south-west Spitsbergen. We found considerably (5–20×) higher densities biomass Collembola vicinities both (the effect extending up to ca. 50 m from colony edge) than comparable control areas not influenced by allochtonous nutrient input. The most common observed seabird-influenced were Folsomia quadrioculata, Hypogastrura viatica Megaphorura arctica. latter species appeared resistant input was commonly closest bird colonies. Collembolan decreased with increasing distance However, relationships between collembolan density specific physicochemical parameters vegetation characteristics weak. important factors cover nitrophilous green alga Prasiola crispa, total plant solution conductivity, all which correlated estimated amount guano deposition. Community composition showed no evidence being diet, differences apparent developing vicinity planktivorous piscivorous study provides confirmation marine seabirds microfaunal communities.